If you are
getting married at a PUBLIC PLACE, such as a park or a beach, check to see if you need permits, especially for alcohol.
Licensed to Wed Maine marriage license basics GETTING MARRIED IN MAINE? YOU NEED A LICENSE IN ORDER TO MAKE IT LEGAL. HERE’S HOW.
W H AT W E ’
sage advice
There are only so many Saturdays in the summer! Consider having a wedding on ANOTHER DAY OF THE WEEK, like a Friday or Sunday — especially if the venue you want to use is already booked.
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TA
A Maine marriage license is valid for 90 DAYS.
WE K N
AL LEG
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Getting married in the OFF-SEASON (aka winter) may save you money on the reception site and the vendors you choose.
E
li censes & permits
BOTH PEOPLE GETTING MARRIED must visit the town office in person to apply for a marriage license. If either of you were married before, bring a copy of your divorce decree. You do not need to apply in the town where the wedding is planned. Different rules apply depending on where you are from, so check out maine.gov for information.
UT
YOURS
O
LY
O
MAINE TIPS
It is an urban myth that throwing rice at weddings is
harmful to birds, but it does make a very real mess. Think about another FESTIVE KIND OF SEND-OFF: blow bubbles, play musical instruments, throw birdseed, or light sparklers.
FILE MARRIAGE INTENTIONS: The first step in
ISSUING LICENSE: There is no waiting period in the
obtaining a marriage license is to record the
state of Maine. Once your intentions to marry are
marriage intentions in writing. Both of you must sign
filed, the license may be issued immediately with
the intentions stating you are free to marry.
your signatures. The license must be used within 90 days (not three months) from the date the intentions
WHERE TO FILE: If you are both Maine residents, file
were filed and can only be used in the state of Maine.
your intentions at the municipal office in the town or city where at least one of you resides.
AFTER CEREMONY: The person who performed the
If only one of you resides in Maine, then both of
ceremony is responsible for completing the appro-
you must file your intentions at the municipal office
priate section of your marriage license. This includes
in the town or city where you hold residency.
obtaining the signatures of two witnesses (tradition-
If neither of you is a resident of Maine, you can file intentions at any municipal office in Maine.
ally your maid of honor and best man) plus the signature of the officiant.
If either of you happen to be divorced, remember to bring a copy of your Divorce Decree. If you don’t
FILLING OUT & FILING: The marriage license must be
have one, this can be obtained from the District
completed in black ink only. The officiant is
Court where the decree was issued. This needs to be
responsible for filing the license with the municipal
an original document issued by the Court with an
clerk at the municipality where the license was
embossed seal, not a photocopy. Present this to the
issued. They have seven days from when the
clerk when you apply for your license and you will be
ceremony took place to file. Once it’s filed, you’re
good to go!
officially married.
Once your intentions are filed and the license is issued, you are free to marry anywhere within the state. 16 | WWW.REALMAINEWEDDINGS.COM
For further information, contact the Maine Office of Vital Records at 207-287-6490 or visit www.maine.gov.
